Latest wardrobe casualties - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Latest wardrobe casualties

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Item / Reason / Destination

1 purple cardigan
Reason - although warm and useful in winter, the neckline is too wide and difficult to layer under it.
Destination - holding zone, likely to be donated

1 white cotton cardigan
Reason - too t-shirt like and I had bought white denim jacket to layer over summer clothes
Destination - holding zone, likely to be donated

1 red chunky knit cardigan
Reason - unflattering neckline and not enough opportunities to wear it
Destination - holding zone, likely to linger there for a while as I have emotional attachment to it, I wore it during pregnancy

1 black 3/4 sleeve layering shirt
Reason - strange and very unflattering neckline, annoying sleeve length
Destination - donation pile

3 pairs of black pants
Reason - I don't need formal-ish trousers at the moment, plus there are better silhouettes on me.
Destination - holding zone. As these are all in the right length I find it hard to get rid of them and as much as I try to avoid such approach, I'll keep them for a while "just in case"

Over to you, please inspire me for more action - what thing did you purge from your wardrobe recently?

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from

Tina.b

Veteran

I tend to cull my wardrobe regularly. Not a massive overall at any given time. I just pull out a few pieces from one section so as to not overwhelm. Most recently was a couple pairs of J crew pants that were not doing me any favours, two pairs of chinos and a pair of cords. Haven't worn them in ages. And then there was a silk leopard blouse that pulled in the shoulders. Wanted to love it, but it just never felt right.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

For things that are unflattering, get rid of them immediately!

I would hold on to at least one of the black pants if they are still a style that you like.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love this, Ornella! Wooohoooo!! I'm always giddy when I purge and hear that others are purging!! Will you be replacing?

I cull very regularly. I got rid of all my body con jeans and white jeans that were shot. Flat oxfords that were trashed. Casual pumps and Mary Janes that I never wear, although they were comfy. Some tops and jackets that were too playful and detailed for my liking. A few layering jumpers that were pilled. That's all I can remember at this point!

siniestra

lots of baggy clothes i always end up buying and ill fitted ...a cream brand new cardican j crew really cute and soft but the ruffles doensn't help me either, mini jeans skirts look too teen for me :/ (i only use mini skirts but bodycon, or pencil skirts) !! a motto jacket hub bought it for me but it was too long from the sleeves i had it over a year and didn't know how to wear it

Sara L.

Veteran

I recently purged a couple sweaters that were worn out and pilling, a skirt that is slightly too big and also too formal for work so never got worn, and a pair of jeans that were slightly too short.

Inge

(website)

Great job, Ornella!-)

It must be something in the air, I purged loads of older stuff last weekend. I'd been keeping a number of turtleneck tops in T-shirt fabric in my holding zone. I still love the colours and they are in great condition, but I just don't wear them anymore, I now prefer knitwear (and woven tops, of course) for layering. One pair of denim jeggings. Five pairs of shoes, four because the heels are just too high for me. Several button-downs that were showing wear and tear and a few other things. Culling always feels so liberating.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOTS of purging love from me, ladies!!

Molly L-R

Into the charity shop bag this week have gone:

- black jumper with Egyptian/Fairisle cat print. Quite geek chic, but no longer in my colour scheme and smells a bit weird.

- black and white striped jumper with red hearts. Not me any more.

- bright red faux-double-layer jumper top with white peter pan collar. The last time I wore this a male friend told me I looked like a nun (?!)

- burgundy chiffony pleated skirt. I liked this, but it's very see through. I had a similar one in navy that came with a built in slip so was fine. This one has a built in slip - approxsimately 6 inches in length. Seriously, it covers nothing. Every time I wear it I have to layer it over a blue-ish A-line skirt which I don't particularly care for but is just about the right length. It's such a faff to wear that I'm kicking it out for good.

- blue-ish A-line skirt. See reasons above.

Jamie

Veteran

Pre-spring cleaning, for sure! I've been purging, too! I just love it! 2 pairs of old trousers (why, again, did I still have them?), several pairs of shoes that were worn out or dated, a dated pair of tall boots, several sweaters, a pair of white jeans that I tried to make in straight legs last summer (didn't work), and there is more that I should let go of.

I pulled out an older handbag to wear to a family event on Sunday evening. I still like the bag, but now feel kind of "meh" about it. My sister went nuts for it, so I transferred my handbag contents to a shopping bag (very stylish, indeed) and gave her my hand bag. I'm so happy to pass it on to someone who really wanted it!

In the holding zone - 2 more cardigans (I'm now down to 1 that I still like), another pair of shoes I had on the other day that are no longer comfortable, a couple of older pencil skirts, and 2 summer dresses I haven't worn in years.

Anonymous

Recently handed down to DD:

2 pairs of SLB (teen boys) jeans
Big Blue (the bag I dyed turquoise)
Vintage Coach bag (too small and retro for me)
Hydraulic denim jacket (to faded/distressed for me)

I can borrow these items back at any time so that wasn't too scary

Recently donated:

2 trumpet skirts (one white and one navy/white print)
2 denim skirts (one dark blue and one white)
black snake peep-toe pumps (not exciting enough to warrant discomfort)
dark grey Gap skirt (only looked good with heels)
navy Calvin Klein dress (too short)
grey Liz Claiborne dress (seasonally confused and too dreary for festive wear)
LBD (the one that was badly altered by a seamstress--I just lost my taste for it)
Another LBD with a full skirt that I wore once
magenta button front shirt (to stiff/sporty for me)
denim shirt (to stiff/heavy weight to layer over)
beloved paisley pashimna (showing some serious wear and pilling)
white 3/4 sleeve button front (sleeve length drives me batty on tops)
driving mocs that I "painted" (paint was flaking off)
black heeled booties (couldn't wear them for everyday/didn't like them for festive)
all my old/cheap flats and sandals
a bunch of costume jewelry
many belts that I bought on a lark, instead of for a specific garment
2 cropped blazers (too short to wear with pants, too corporate looking with skirts)
Several handbags, including last year's battered straw tote.
Last year's Gap skinny jeans (DD didn't want these)

These items had been in hidden storage for some time and one unseasonably warm day I realized that I hadn't reached for the winter items and didn't want to wear the summer ones again, so on impulse, I bagged them all up and drove them to the donation bin! Woo-hoo, so freeing!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Wow ladies, glad to see you've been busy too

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

One handbag that I bought in a sale and never liked.

One teal cardigan that was a lovely colour, but was pilling badly.

I know there is more to go ...

Thistle

Veteran

Charity pile;

1 red blazer that is a bit dated looking
1 burgundy leather jacket that is way too big
1 olive green jacket that is also too big
1 plaid wool skirt that was not comfortable
1 shimmery red waterfall cardigan that just wan't me
2 pair of jeans that just don't fit my body shape

it is hard to let go and freeing at the same time.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

In my donation bag today:

1 A muted yellow transparent polyester shirt, bought in Montreal two years ago and seldom worn. Purged because it blends with my skin tone - bland. In great condition for the right owner.
2 Black wrap top in wool, at least five years old. Purged because it is too short and pills. Worn out.
3 Cream turtle neck in 100% silk, bought on sale in August. A total waste because it shrunk and lost its shape after two washings.
4 Black tank in viscose from H&M, bought in 2007, I think. Too short and tight for me, but still wearable for others.
5 Beige cardigan in mohair and viscose from H&M. Its BEIGE.
6 The black almost-sheath that looks like a jumper. Enough said about that one.
7 Tweed jacket in beige/brown with an orange stripe. Nice fabric, but bad shape for me.

it feels pretty good, except for the turtle neck that should have been worn a lot more. I'm not replacing any of this except the black dress - whenever I find it.

qfbrenda

Veteran

Great job, everyone!

I just went through things this week:

*black long-sleeved layering top from Old Navy... bags out

*some too-short camis... again, Old Navy

*couple of hand-me-down black tanks I've never worn

*black boot cut jeans... was going to alter to straights but they are too faded to bother with

*purple cardigan... pilled and too much shoulder detail, feel like a football player in it

*two tops that have ruffles... ruffles just aren't me

*3 Fruit of the Loom mens white t-shirts... had hoped they would work for simple white tees... nope

Aziraphale

Veteran

Feels good to make room in your closet, doesn't it?

I recently purged three chunky knit sweaters that were flattering, but that I haven't worn in ten years. It turns out that I never feel like wearing them. I don't know why I let them sit there so long. I find that chunky sweaters don't fit my lifestyle. I'm always too hot in them.

Astrid

Veteran

I didn't purge anything from my wardrobe recently, but I did get around to finally getting rid of all the stuff I still had in boxes from my last purge (the holding area I never went back for) when I started decluttering my flat last month. Although I do plan to do some more purging soon.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

In my donation pile:
Red rain jacket that I loved but they only had size XS, which fits with only a very thin layer underneath. It rarely rains here in the summer, so I wear my raincoat that allows for more layering in the spring or a really thin packable one if needed in the summer.
Two soul sucking beige jackets. I used to think I needed suiting basics in every single neutral. Even beige.
Another jacket that I don't care for anymore
A thin white layering sweater that is pilling.
A thin purple layering sweater that must have shrunk because it's too tight on me now (right? - it's not me, it's the clothes)
An orange wrap top that I feel meh about, even though I love the color
A silk dress that never really fit me correctly - too long in the waist and tight in the sleeves
A chunky sweater that I had to buy in three colors - seriously, three?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

*clapping*

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for being so inspired and inspiring so many of us! This is generally a hard task for me to let go, but I do feel much lighter and my closet looks better when I do this. I recently got rid of two pairs of peep toe suede pumps that I never really wore along with a grey print mandarin-collared top, a black thick cotton wrap dress (given to my sister who looks better in lower-cut necklines), navy-taupe striped sheer V-neck top, lime green fleece jacket, black vest jacket, two cocktail dresses, navy blue double-breasted cardigan sweater, straw hat, coral scarf, beige scarf.

I think your idea of a "Destination - holding zone, likely to be donated" is OUTSTANDING, because this may help me to do a better job of purging, by removing items from my closet and truly seeing that they aren't missed. Thanks, Ornella.

Louise

Veteran

I'm hopeless as purging! I have a coat I rarely wear because the arm holes are a bit tight but I love the length, I've folded it for the cats to sleep on knowing I can rescue it if I change my mind x

Louise

Veteran

Oo oo oo I know, I passed on my purple puffer to my mum as I replaced it with a new one. Though I guess in theory I could borrow it back!! X

Janet

(website)

Veteran

- Half a dozen dresses I never wear anymore that feel dated for my style
- A couple of pairs of shoes that I never wear anymore
- A skirt, dress, and shirt I'd had in the alteration bag for months
- a bunch of socks that I never wear but still have some life in them
- some bras that don't fit me correctly but are still quite new
- Some layering tees that are rarely worn
- Some belts I never wear anymore
- Some jewelry I never wear anymore

And there's more to come.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I like this thread!

denim blazer I never reached for, although it fit fine
pink chevron striped maxi dress that was too big but I tried to make work 'cause I loved the look
2 cord jackets
pair of wide legged cord Editor pants
bodycon wrap top in fall print colors
clunky Doc Martin work shoes

Am debating the snug, short sweaters next. They are fine with skirts, but how often do I wear skirts in winter? Hmmm.

Lisa

Veteran

a red cardigan that was purchased in teh fall and has pilled badly, even after sweater combing

a tunic sweater with short sleeves that is finally showing signs of wear. It was always a challenge to layer with short sleeves, they were little lumps under my cardigans

a pair of jeans that I haven't worn in 6 months, finally made it to the donate bag

Lyn D.

Veteran

2 bootleg jeans and 1 black pant with higher rises and too snug for comfort.
5 pairs of shoes.
4 Summer tops.
1 cardigan.
1 jacket.
2 tunic tops.
ALL replaced already except for the tunic tops!

unfrumped

Veteran

Oh, yeah!
--cashmere and wool sweaters that were too big or too tight.
--beige trench coat that didn't hold up well fabric-wise
--flats I only wore twice and found they rubbed and couldn't be whipped into shape
--perfectly good blazers that are just too boxy/big
and lots more!

Here's a purge-caution--I'm keeping in holding zone some tops that I think may be either short or long for current outfits, but fit well otherwise (shoulders, arms etc) . I do not trust top length fashion stability and also find that all of a sudden I need the perfect length for this pant or that skirt.

Day Vies

Veteran

Rain boots that were purchased when I got caught in the rain 2 years ago - Donate.

Striped red black and tan faux wrap sweater -- it was time poor thing was worn completely out!

Beige silk jersey butterfly sleeve blouse -- It had a stubborn stain in it. I would never have given it away otherwise.

Wide-leg trousers in taupe. The length is too short. Donate.

Coral cotton v neck cardigan. The cut was far too wide and made me look a frumpy box. It had a twin in aqua that bit the dust too. The funny part is I have the same sweater in the same size in dark pink, burnt orange, and yellow. All of them fit just fine and were saved from the donate pile.

I had a v neck cardigan in deep navy that finally had to go. My mother bought it for me as part of a set about 10 years ago for my birthday. I loved the color and the slight ruffle on the sleeves and hem (edged in a white pin stripe!) but the cardi was too boxy. Mom knows I love navy and white, but the color could not save this set from the donate pile.

That's all I can think of for now -- I did a big purge this season because I had a lot of items that were either completely worn out or simply no longer fit or fit my lifestyle.

Anonymous

I'm purging via eBay: rain boots, two wool cardigans, two summer dresses, one wool tunic sweater

Donating: wool tunic sweater with a small pull, various knit tops, velveteen J. crew blazer that's 12 years old and the cut is a bit dated

Hold box: Gap leans, all my boot cut jeans, various summer sandals with too-high heels that I rarely wear but keep thinking I might